How to serve an unreachable ball in table tennis

One of the best serves to use on a short or particularly young opponent who has limited table-reach is the self-returning short serve. This is a serve that is served just barely over the net, with extreme back-spin, so the ball returns back over the net. As the rules of table tennis state, your opponent must touch the ball for it to be a valid return--thus the ball returning back to your side means you win the point.

Things You'll Need

• A table tennis table
• A table tennis paddle with high-friction rubber
• A table tennis ball

Instructions

1. Hold your paddle with your favorite grip, and hold your paddle-arm's forearm against your stomach.

2. Rotate your paddle so your forehand is facing toward the sky, as if you were gripping a frisbee.

3. Toss the ball up and on its descent, strike the ball in a frisbee-throwing motion, being sure to impart as much back-spin as possible. Be sure the first bounce of the ball lands close to your side of the net. The ball should bounce on your side, go over the net, bounce on your opponent's side, and then return back over the net and bounce on your side.

Tips & Warnings

• The trick to this serve is applying minimal forward force to the ball, as this counteracts the back-spin's ability to return the ball back to you.

• To apply spin to the ball without striking it "forward," angle the paddle more so the face faces your stomache and graze the ball "upward."

• Practice makes perfect, as this is a trick of precision and touch.

• If your opponent is tall or fast, they can reach over or run around the side of the table and perform a quick flick shot.